Acetylene generator



Sept. 17, 1940. R, J KEHL ET AL I 2,214,834

ACETYLENE GENERATOR Filed May 15, 1937 INVENTORS ROBERT J. KEHL RALPH C. PIERSON ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 17, 1940 PATENT series ACE-TYLENE GENERATOR Robert J. Kehl, Manhasset, N. Y., and Ralph C. Pierson, Indianapolis, Ind., assignors to Oxweld Acetylene Company, a corporation of West Virginia Application May 15, 1937, Serial No. 142,764

20 Claims.

This invention relates to acetylene gas generators, and particularly to improvements in generators of the water recession type.

The water tank of the recession type of generator usually is open to the atmosphere and, during the generation of gas, particles of residue containing active calcium carbide settle to the bottom of the generating chamber. Due to the circulation of water between the generating chamber and the water tank, such particles sometimes are carried up into the space between the water tank and the gas-collecting bell, resuiting in a loss of acetylene by escape into the atmosphere, and coating various parts of the generator equipment with residue. Furthermore, in suchgeneratorsthe'carbide usually is exposed to vapor rising from the water supply, thereby causing constant deterioration thereof. In charging known generators ofthis type, it becomes necessary to use no more calcium carbide than that required for the generation of sufficient gas for the immediate need.

bide than is required, it must be disassembled to its constant exposure to the water vapor. In other words, it is impracticable to store any calcium carbide within the generator during extended periods of non-use.

Another difficulty encountered with generators in this general class resides in complexity of construction and consequent diificulty in assembly and disassembly.

An object of this invention is to provide an acetylene gas generator consisting of two main units, namely, a water tank and a combined holder and gas collector, the latter comprising an arrangement of various elements such that the same may be inserted within, and removed from, the water tank as a separate unit. Other objects of this invention include: the provision of means for preventing the contamination of the water by particles of residue and carbide; and the provision of a device capable of protecting the unused carbide from the action of water vapor, thereby making it possible to safely retain unused carbide within the charged generator during extended periods of non-use. Other specific objects include: the provision of means forming a protective housing about the carbide which will permit the escape of gas therefrom while preventing the access of liquid or vapor thereto; and the provision of a unitary constructionincluding ,a residuereceiver, a combined In the. event the generator is charged with more carresidue deflector and chamber-defining element, and a carbide-holder so constructed 'and'ar ranged that the unit will be capable of cooperation with a gas-collecting bell in a manner to prevent contamination of the water and permit. the safe storage of unused carbide during extended periods of non-generation.

Other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following specification considered in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is an elevational view of an acetylene gas generator with parts broken away in a manner to expose the various features of this invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational'view of a gas-collecting chamber incorporating certain features of this invention;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of a unitary construction including'certain' of the novel elements of this invention capable of being assembled. within the gas-collecting chamber of Fig. 2, and the whole adapted to-be positioned within the water tank of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. l of the drawing'the invention is shown as embodied in a recession-type acetylene gas generator which comprises three essential elements, namely, a water tank T, an upright gas bell 33 having a gas generating chamber G and gas collecting chamber K, and a carbide holder I-I positioned within and spaced from the side wall of the gas bell B. The tank T is normally filled with water to a height indicated by the dot and dash line L; and, during operation, the water flows into or out of the generating chamber G in the bell B, depending upon the gas pressure in the latter. When the Water rises within the generating chamber G, it contacts the calcium carbide within the carbide holder H, thereby generating acetylene gas which passes upwardly through the gas-collecting chamber K, through a filter means F, into a hydraulic back-pressure valve V, and thence tothe outlet 0. As pressure. develops within the bell B to a value above atmospheric pressure, the water in contact with the carbide is caused to recede therefrom and further generation of gas is prevented until the pressure within the gas bell has been reduced. The carbide-holder His located in the gas-collecting chamber K and is constructed tosupport a plurality of superposed cakes of calcium carbide in such a manner as to expose the lowermost cake to the action of the water. During gas generation, disintegration of the lower cake takes place and the residue falls to the bottom of the water tank. As this action progresses, the next succeeding cake gravitates to the bottom of the carbide holder and is consumed in the same manner.

Loss of acetylene gas can be avoided by localizing the circulation of the disintegrating carbide particles as they fall into the water. This may be accomplished by providing a residue receiver R, and also by providing sealing means which will form a water-tight chamber around the exposed carbide during extended shut-down periods of the generator. In the present embodiment of the invention, the carbide-holder sealing means comprises a resilient skirt C which cooperates with a cover or seat S. The skirt is secured to the lower portion of the bell B and engages the seat S to close the gas collecting chamber K at its bottom end, upon vertical downward movement of the bell B.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate two units which may be easily coupled together to be inserted within and withdrawn from the water tank T as a unitary assembly. The unit shown in Fig. 3

. comprises the receiver R for preventing exces- I sive circulation of the residue, the carbide holder H, and the cover or seat S. As shown, the receiver R is open at the top and closed at the bottom and has a cylindrical wall it provided with a series of circumferentially spaced inwardly dished louvers H, which permit the circulation of water into and out of the receiver, while maintaining the body of water within the same in a state of relative quiescence, so that the residue from the carbide supply may settle to the bottom.

The carbide holder H comprises an elongated cylindrical container provided with a removable closure at its top, and a basket portion at its lower end capable of exposing the lower portion of the carbide, or lowermost cake of carbide, to the action of water as the latter rises within the gas bell B. The holder H is provided with a plurality of equally spaced longitudinally extending guiding grooves i2 adapted to guide the carbide cakes as they move downwardly therein, thus preventing them from tilting and consequently jamming within the holder. The basket portion of the carbide holder H includes a plu" rality of circumferentially spaced metallic bars 53 which support the carbide holder H and also the seat S. The lower ends of barslB are secured to the cylinder H5 in any suitable manner, such H as by welding. The bars extend upwardly and bottom of the receiver R and also cooperating with the skirt C to close the chamber containing the carbide. The residue receiver also fixedly positions the carbide-holder H and the seat S by means of the bars E3, in a manner so that relative movement may be effected between the gascollecting bell B and these elements, thus permitting the point of gas generation to remain the same, while enabling the skirt C, secured to the bell B, to cooperate with the seat S and thereby provide a closed chamber about the carbide supply upon vertical downward movement of the bell and engagement of said skirt with said seat.

In order to further limit the circulation ofthe carbide residue which settles within the receiver R, a baffle may be provided which will form a circuitous path through which the residue must the space between the gas bell B and the water tank T. For this purpose a cylindrical openended baffle M is located within the receiver R, extending downward to a point below the circulating louvers H, and upward to a point substantially above the lower portion of the skirt C. The balile M is removably fastened to the unitary receiver R, seat S, and carbide-holder H in any desired manner such that it will be spaced from the seat S sufiiciently to prevent interference with the carbide residue as it settles to the bottom of the receiver R. One means of removably supporting the bafile M within the unitary construction may comprise the formation of a series of circumferentially spaced vertical slots in the side wall thereof, extending from the bottom end to midway of the bafiie, and in aligned relation with the extended rods 13. The bafiie M is capable of an additional function, in that it constitutes means for directing the carbide residue to a point within the body of water contained in the receiver R that is in a state of relative quiescence, and thereby additionally serves toprevent the excessive circulation of the residue. The baffie M, the seat S, and the receiver R, in combination, act as a residue collector for restraining the circulation of carbide residue and carbide particles within such collector.

The gas bell B comprises upper and lower cylindrical portions 15 and Hi, the latter being open at the bottom and having at its top end an inwardly extending flange ll which is hermetically sealed at E8 to the cylinder !5 above the lower end of the latter. A gas outlet H3, at the upper extremity of the cylinder i5, is connected to the hydraulic back-pressure valve V by a pipe 20. The inside diameter of the cylinder [5 is substantially larger than the outside diameter of the carbide-holder l-l, thereby providing an annular chamber K between these two elements for passing the generated gas upwardly toward the outlet l9. Means,-such as a filter F, is positioned in the cylinder l5 above the holder H to purify the generated gas before it flows to the hydraulic back pressure valve V. In the present embodiment, the filtering means comprises a support 20 upon which is mounted a lower screen 2!, which supports a felt pad 22, a'section of matted hair 23, another felt pad 26, and anupper screen 25. These elements constitute .an effective filter capable of freeing the gas of moisture and objectionable impurities in the form of solid particles.

As shown, the annular sealing element or resilient skirt C comprises a rubber sleeve 26 removably and tightly fastened to the extending lower end of the cylinder 55 by a clamping band 21. The downward movement of the gas bell B causes the entrapped gas therein to force ahead of it any water between the carbide basket and the seat or cover S; and upon lowering the bell B to a point where sleeve 26 firmly engages seat S, a chamber about the carbide is provided which will permit the escape of subsequently generated gas therefrom, and prevent the entrance of water thereinto.

The bell B may be adjusted vertically by hand, and may be retained either in its raisedor lowered position by suitable means, such as a combined guiding and supporting device 28, which comprises a pair of yoke members 29, the central portions of which are curved to conform to the outer surface of the cylinder I of the bell B. The yokes 29 are rigidly secured together in slightly spaced relation such that their outer ends provide vertical slots to receive fastening means in the form of pivotal bolts 30 and wing nuts 3| mounted on the upper rim of the water tank T. The spacing of the yokes 29 also provides vertical slots 32, which will accommodate diametrically positioned lugs 33 integrally secured to the outside of the cylinder l5. The described construction provides one form of means effective to facilitate the vertical adjustment of the gas bell B and capable of retaining the bell in either of its adjusted positions. A handle 34 is positioned on the cylinder l5 above the lugs 33 for the purpose of turning the bell B about its vertical axis and relatively to the tank T to align the lugs 33 with the vertical slots 32, and for manually raising or lowering the bell. The length of lugs 33 is equal to the desired range of vertical adjustment of the gas bell B, thus ensuring the sealing of the carbide in one position,

and affording adequate exposure of the carbide in the other position.

Part of the apparatus to be inserted in the tank T is made up of two separate units, one of which comprises the residue receiver R, the bafile I4, the sealing seat S, and the carbide-holder H; and the other unit comprises the gas bell B and the sealing skirt C. These units may be assembled in a manner to produce a gas-generating plant capable of being inserted into, and withdrawn from, the water tank T as a unitary assembly. This may be accomplished by providing means on oneof the units engageable by means on the other for coupling the two units together in a manner permitting limited relative movement between the two, which movement is necessary in order to effect the cooperation of the sealing elements S and C. In the present embodiment of the invention, the lower ends of the bars I3 project laterally through holes in the 7 sides of the chamber G of the gas bell B. The

lower end 38 of each crank rod 36 is bent inwardly at right angles to the rod and extends radially towards the longitudinal axis of the bell B, thereby providing means effective to engage the lower edge of the ring 35 and couple one unit to the other, and still permitting limited relative movement between the two units.

. Briefly, the procedure of charging and assembling the generator is as follows: the hydraulic back-pressure valve V is first filled with water; the tank T is then filled with Water to a predetermined level; the calcium carbide, preferably in the form of cakes, is placed within the carbide holder H; the gas bell B is then placed over the carbide-holder H and .residue receiver R, and the crank rods 36 are swung so that their lower ends 38 engage the under surface of the ring 35. The gas bell and combined residue receiver and carbide-holder, thus coupled together, are lowered as a unitary assembly into the water tank, thereby displacing the water in the tank to the indicated operating level L, and the yoke members 29 are then securely fastened in position by the pivotal bolts 30 and wing nuts 3|. B is turned and lifted to the operating (upper) position with the lower ends of the supporting lugs 33 engaging the top edges of the yoke members 29.

As the unitary assembly is lowered into the water in tank T, acetylene gas is immediately generated and passes upwardly into the gas-collecting chamber K and through the filter device F into the back-pressure valve V. Upon the generation of'sufiicient gas, the pressure within the bell B increases beyond atmospheric pressure and causes the water to recede to a point below the exposed carbide thereby interrupting the generation of gas. When the pressure within bell B is lowered, due to supplying-acetylene to the gasconsuming devices, the water rises into contact with the exposed carbide, thereby resuming generation of acetylene gas. Thus the amount of acetylene gas generated is automatically maintained to meet the demand.

As the bottom cake of carbide is consumed and its residue falls into the water, those above descend so that the point of generation is held at a constant level, and a uniform and safe acetylene pressure is maintained at all times. Because the small particles of residue, which may contain active calcium carbide, are collected within the residue receiver R, circulation thereof into the annular space between the bell B and the water tank T is prevented, thus effecting the saving of acetylene gas which would otherwise escape into the atmosphere.

When it is desired to shut down the generator for extended periods and safely store the remaining cakes of carbide in the holder H, it is only necessary to rotate the bell B to a point where the lugs 33 become aligned with the vertical slots 32, force the bell downwardly as far as possible, and rotate the same in a manner to engage the upper ends of the lugs 33 with the under surfaces of the yoke members 29. movement of the bell B, together with the entrapped gas therein, causes the water between the conical seat S and the basket portion of the holder H to recede; and as the rubber sleeve 26 engages and seats on the seat S, the bottom end of the cylinder I5 is tightly closed and a watertight chamber is provided about the exposed carbide, effectively preventing its subsequent disintegration due to vapor rising from the water supply. In this position the generator may stand for many days without appreciable deterioration or slaking of the carbide. This, of course, affords more economical operation and greater convenience in charging the generator, since a full charge of carbide can be placed within the holder H each time, even though all of the charge is not to be used immediately.

The embodiment which is herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing is presented merely to indicate how the invention may be applied. Other forms differing in detail, but not in principle, from that disclosed, will readily suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

1. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a gascollecting bell having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; means for supporting said bell so that it may be moved relatively to said tank; a calcium carbide The downward The gas bell holder adapted to expose carbide in said holder to contact with water in said tank; means for supporting said holder in relatively fixed position with respect to said tank; a pair of sealing members, one of said members being movable with said bell, said members being constructed and arranged and cooperatively associated with said holder in such a manner that access of water to the carbide within said holder is prevented by the engagement of said sealing members when said bell is moved relatively to said tank.

2. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which said means for supportingsaid bell will support said bell in different vertical posi tions with respect to said tank upon turning said bell about its axis.

3. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which one of said sealing members is supported in a relatively fixed position with respect to said tank and the other of said sealing members is secured to said bell and is adapted to engage said relatively fixed sealing member when said bell is moved relatively to said tank.

4. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which one of said sealing members comprises a resilient skirt secured to said bell and the other of said sealing members comprises a sheet metal cone supported by the means for supporting-said holder and disposed below said holder and said skirt, whereby said skirt will engage said cone to restrict the access'of water to carbide within said holder when said bell is moved downwardly with respect to said tank.

5. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 1, in which said bell is provided with means for maintaining said sealing members in an open or closed position.

6. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a gascollecting bell having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a calcium carbide holder adapted to expose carbide therein to contact with water in said tank; means engaging said tank for supporting said holder within said bell; and cooperating means associated with said bell and said holder'for restricting access of water to said carbide, said cooperating means comprising a sealing ring secured to said bell and seat secured to said holder, said bell being rotatably and axially movable relative to said seat; and lugs mounted on said bell adapted to cooperate with slots in a bell-supporting means mounted on said tank for maintaining said bell in an upper or lower position.

'7. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a gascollecting bell having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a calcium carbide holder adapted to expose carbide therein to contact with water in said tank; means engaging said tank for supporting said holder within said bell; and cooperating means associated with said bell and said holder, for restricting access of water to said carbide, said cooperating means comprising a sealing ring secured to said bell and a seat secured to said holder, said bell being rotatably and axially movable relative to said seat; a yoke mounted on the top of said tank and forming a guide for said movable bell; and lugs equal in length to the desired axial movement of said bell mounted on said bell and adapted to cooperate with the upper and lower edges of said yoke for maintaining said bell in an upper or lower position.

8. An acetylene generator comp-rising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a gas-collecting bell having an open lower end disposed below. the normal. water level in said tank; a carbide holder adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; means engaging said tank for supporting said holder within said bell; a residue collector in said tank comprising a residue receiver and baffle means cooperatively adapted with said receiver to restrain the circulation of carbide residue and carbide particles within said collector.

9. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 8, in which said receiver is provided with openings adapted to permit the circulation of water through said collector while cooperating with said receiver and said baiile means to prevent the circulation of carbide particles and carbide residue from beneath said bell into the space between said bell and tank.

10. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 8, in which said baflle means includes a baffle located within and extending above the upper end of said receiver, and also surrounding the lower end of said carbide holder.

11. An acetylene'generator as claimed in claim 8, in which said baflie means comprises in com-' bination, a deflecting b aille located directly beneath said carbide holder and supported by means engaging said tank; and a removable bafiie in telescoping relation with said receiver and cooperatively adapted with said deflecting bafile to direct residue and carbide particles from the carbide into a body of water within said receiver in a state of relative quiescencef 12. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a carbide holder; a residue receiver adapted to support said holder within said tank; a gas bell covering said holder and adapted to fit over said residue receiver and to be moved relative thereto; and means mounted on said bell for detachably engaging said receiver, but constructed to provide for limited relative movement therebetween, whereby said bell and said receiver may be inserted within or withdrawn from said tank as a unitary assembly.

13. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 12 in which said means comprises manually operable cranks adapted to be rotated into and out of engagement with means on said receiver.

14. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a combined carbide holder and residue receiver engaging said tank; a gas bell adapted to fit over said holder and receiver and to be moved relative thereto; and means mounted on said gas bell for detachably engaging said combined holder and receiver, but constructed to provide for limited relative movement between said bell and said combined holder and receiver, whereby said bell, said combined holder and receiver may be in serted within or withdrawn from said tank as a unitary assembly.

15. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a gas-collecting bell having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a carbide holder adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; a residue re-- ceiver extending within said bell to a point above its lower end and adapted to support said holder within said bell; bafile means within said receiver and cooperatively adapted with said receiver to prevent circulation of carbide residue and carbide particles from beneath said bell; means for supporting and maintaining said bell in different positions with respect to said holder, at least one of such positions permitting exposure of carbide in said holder to contact with water in said tank; and cooperating means associated with said bell and receiver for preventing access of water to said carbide in said holder when said bell is in another of such positions.

16. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 15, wherein said cooperating means comprises a sealing member secured to said bell and a seat for engaging said sealing member supported by said receiver beneath said holder, said bell and said sealing member.

17. An acetylene generator comprising, in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; a gas-collecting bell having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in said tank; a carbide holder adapted to expose carbide to contact with water in said tank; a residue receiver engaging said tank and disposed beneath said holder, said receiver being adapted to support said holder Within said bell; means for supporting and maintaining said bell in difierent positions with respect to'said holder; and cooperating means associated with said bell and receiver, adapted to limit movement of said bell.

relative to said receiver and to detachably engage said bell with said receiver in order to permit unitary insertion and removal of said recever, said holder, and said bell into and from said tank.

18. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 17, wherein said cooperating means comprises a ring on the exterior of said receiver and manually operable means on said bell adapted to detachably connect with said ring and also to permit limited relative movement between said bell' and said receiver.

19. An acetylene generator comprising in combination, a tank adapted to contain water; an upright gas bell having an open lower end disposed below the normal water level in. said tank; an elongated calcium carbide holder within and spaced at least in part from said bell and adapted to expose carbide in said holder to contact with water in said tank, said bell and said holder being constructed to provide for relative axial movement therebetween; a carbide residue receiver positioned Within said tank directly beneath and supporting said carbide holder; means for supporting and maintaining said bell in different vertical positions with respect to said holder when said bell and said holder are moved relative to each other; and cooperating means associated with said bell and said holder adapted to restrict access of water to said carbide upon effecting vertical relative movement between said bell and said holder.

20. An acetylene generator as claimed in claim 19, in which said residue receiver comprises a substantially cylindrical open-topped container, the side walls of which are provided with circumferentially spaced louvers; and a substantially cylindrical open-ended baffle located within and removably fastened to said residue receiver,

said baffle extending downwardly to a point below said louvers and upwardly to a point above the upper edge of said residue receiver.

ROBERT J. KEHL. RALPH c. PIERSON. 

